THE fight to save Clun Fire Station has been taken to Westminster.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, arranged a meeting between Shropshire members of parliament and fire services minister Brandon Lewis MP.

With Mr Dunne were fellow Shropshire MPs Daniel Kawczynski, Mark Prichard and Owen Paterson.

They emphasised to the fire minister how Shropshire’s fire service has worked hard to maximise efficiencies in recent years to operate within its budget.

It is one of the two best performing fire services in the country according to the National Audit Office.

“This was the third meeting I had arranged for Shropshire fire chiefs with the fire minister over as many years to argue the case for fairer funding to take account of the costs of servicing rural communities in Shropshire,” said Philip Dunne.

“Fire minister, Brandon Lewis MP, was very sympathetic about recognising the issues and needs faced in rural areas. It was a timely discussion ahead of the Autumn Statement and funding allocations due next month to fire authorities.

“I am hopeful there will be some further recognition of scarcity in the settlement and the opportunity for Shropshire Fire and Rescue to bid in to a transformation fund to help pay for innovative measures it is currently considering to boost efficiency even further."

Philip Dunne said that he will continue to fight to save the fire station in Clun which is threatened with closure in order to save money.

Also attending the meeting were Councillor Stuart West and Councillor Eric Carter.